The U.S. Defense Department announced on Friday that it will lay off about 5,400 probationary employees next week and implement a hiring freeze. These workers, who have been on the job for less than a year and do not yet have civil service protections, will be affected by the decision. However, uniformed military personnel are not included in the cuts.
This move follows a visit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) officials to the Pentagon earlier in the week. They reviewed lists of employees and identified positions for elimination.
Reason for the Job Cuts
According to Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Darin Selnick, the Defense Department plans to reduce its civilian workforce by 5-8%. This decision aims to improve efficiency, refocus priorities, and enhance military readiness.
The job cuts are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to remove thousands of federal workers who have fewer civil service protections. Last weekend, thousands of probationary workers in federal health agencies were also dismissed. Additionally, over 6,000 employees at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) were expected to lose their jobs by the end of this week.
Pentagon Budget Cuts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has strongly supported these reductions, stating that the Pentagon needs to eliminate unnecessary expenses. He emphasized that resources should be redirected toward strengthening the military rather than maintaining excessive headquarters staff.
Hegseth has instructed the Defense Department to cut 8% from its budget each year for the next five years. This means the military must identify $50 billion in savings for the upcoming year alone. These cuts will be used to support President Trump’s priorities, including military readiness and national security.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses explained that the Pentagon will stop funding programs considered wasteful, such as climate change initiatives and excessive bureaucracy. The goal is to focus spending on strengthening the military rather than on what he called “woke programs.”
Leadership Changes in the Military
In addition to job cuts, President Trump announced the removal of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He will be replaced by retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine.
Further leadership changes include the dismissal of Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti and Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force James Slife. Franchetti made history as the first woman to lead the Navy, while Brown was only the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Defense Department, which employs over 700,000 civilian workers, is undergoing significant changes as part of this restructuring plan.
